New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Memo

To: Veterinarians

From: Nancy E. Halpern, D. V. M. State Veterinarian

Date: February 23, 2007

Re: Suspected infection of EHV-1 in Virginia

Suspected infection of EHV-1 in Virginia:
 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Tech University's Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, and one farm in northern Virginia are under a state-ordered quarantine because of a suspected infection of the neurological form of equine herpes virus (EHV-1).The quarantines will restrict movement of horses at the Leesburg Center and the affected farm and is intended to limit the spread of the disease. The quarantine was based on 3 suspected cases of EHV-1 at the Leesburg Center. One of the animals is "strongly suspected" of having the disease. Hospital officials expect the quarantine to last anywhere from 14 to 28 days. 

EHV-1, one of several strains of the equine herpesvirus, is a highly contagious disease that can affect the respiratory system. It is spread from infected horses through nasal fluids and bodily secretions. Symptoms include fever, coughing, nasal discharge, loss of balance, urinary retention, and recumbency. EHV-1 poses no known health threat to humans.

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For additional information, please visit http://www.virginiahorse.com/HerpesAlert.htm.